Strategic Market Leadership

tomjonez's blog

One of the things I have observed is the value – and the danger – of compassion as a hallmark of those who lead.

This week I introduce the topic by defining compassion. Over the next couple of weeks I will look at the virtues and the risks of compassion-centered management as a primary stimulus in leadership decision-making.

So…what is compassion? A definition from a web-based dictionary states the following:

In the ongoing discussion of decision-making in leadership, last week I discussed how we simply must make the best decision we can - based on the situation and the facts available to us - and then go forward to the next decision point we will face (click here to read). In two words, sometimes we must, “Just Decide.”

This morning I met with three people who each provide leadership in a very high-risk profession. Their decisions are often simply routine; at other more critical junctures their decisions can be life or death and require almost instantaneous judgment calls. We’re talking high-stress. Really high.

As we continue exploring the topic of Courage in Leadership, the air-pressure that often opposes those who lead is important to identify.

One such pressure is the fear of what others will think, what they might say, or how they could act if we truly lead consistent with the mission, our conscience, and how the circumstances would require us to lead.

You may notice a new "look" to this blog. I have changed the header from "Leadership Notes" to the title above, "Courage to Lead."

As mentioned last week, it seems to me that the current environment for those in leadership is not getting any easier. Therefore, I will be exploring in more depth several aspects of leadership that flow out of the requisite of Courage in senior roles of influence.

Sometimes unexpected good news surprises us – and humbles us. That was the case last week when we learned that our team here at Plumbline Media Group was honored once again by receiving another award for excellence in video production.